Method of making duplicating blanks by telefacsimile and the like



April 23, 1946. H. R. DALTON ETAL METHOD OF MAKING DUPLICATING BLANKS BY TELEFACSIMILE AND THE LIKE Original Filed March 24, 1942 *XV r ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 23, 1946 METHOD OF MAKING DUPLICATIN G BLANKS BY 'I'ELEFACSILIILE AND THE LIKE Harold a. Dalton, Teaneck, N. 1., and Austin G. Cooley, New York, N. Y., assignors, by meme assignments, to Timefax Corp., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application March 24, 1942, Serial No. 435,944. Divided and this application March 24, 1943, Serial No. 480.286

. 7 Claims.

This invention relates to recording mediums and more particularly to recording blanks such for example as those used for recording electrical signals whether facsimile signals, telegraph charge thereto or a current therethrough, the under layer is exposed and this under layer can thenbeusedfortransferimrposea' Another object is to provide an improved method of recording and duplicating electric signals by subjecting a novel matrix or master record blank to the action of electric signals so as to signals, sound signals or the like which are to be expose the blank in successive elemental areas translated into visible recordings. which areas are used for contact transfer pur- Heretofore, numerous kinds of facsimile reposes. e cording blanks have been proposed which are A still further object relates to an improved roughly divisible into two categories, viz., the light recording system employing a novel type of resensitive or photographic blank, and the electro- 10 cording blank which may be used for multiple chemical or electromechanical blank. While transfer operations. blanks of both categories have achieved success A further feature relates to a novel method of under conditions of use peculiar to each respecproducing an original message record blank and tively, they both suffer from the limitation of rea large number of duplicates thereof without emquiring elaborate and comparatively slow proploying a photographic printing process. cedure and equipment if a large number of copies A still further feature relates to the novel orare to be made of the subject matter recorded ganization, arrangement and relative location on the blank. Under certain conditions of use. and constitution parts whereby h re is pr it is quite desirable, upon the receipt of intelliduced an improved facsimile recording and dugence on a facsimile blank, that this intelligence plicating blank. be capable of duplication as soon as possible after Other features and advantages n t sp y receipt and with a maximum of legibility or readenumerated will be apparent after a consideraability. In the case of transmission of messages tion of the following detailed descriptions and or intelligence by telefacsimile, it is in some cases the appended claims. not possible, or advisable, to repeat the facsimile While the invention will be described herein in transmission and yet it may be necessary to use connection with a teiefacsimile recording blank, the single facsimile record as a master to control it will be understood that this is done merely for the production of a very large number of dupliexplanatory purposes. Accordingly in the drawcate imprints. It should also be remembered ns. that there are rather rigid requirements for the Fig. 1 repr n n enlarged c ss ion of telefacsimile recording blank itself in order that part of one form of recording blank embodying the message or intelligence can be satisfactorily principl o h nv ntio recorded from the electric signals. Bearing in Fig. 2 represents a modification of the blank mind these various requirements, we have devised f a facsimile record blank which does not sacrifice Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a facsimile rean of its sensitivit or accuracy as a direct cording and duplicating system embodying fearecording blank for received facsimile signals, tures of the inventi nand which can also be used substantially imme- Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective View f a diately as a matrix or master record to transfer modified record blank. I or imprint a very large number of duplicates. Referring to Fig. 1, the facsimile recording After consideration of the following disclosure, blank according to the invention is shown as it will be apparent that while the invention finds c mprisin a base or carrier I of paper, although its greatest immediate utility in the field of telether pli le ma rials such f ri ph facsimile transmission, the fundamental inventive graphic transparencies or the like ma be emconcept is capable of adaptation directly to other 4 pl y The p per I s provided with a stratified fields such as telegraph systems, sound recording sheath comprising two strata or layers 2, 3. Laysystems, motion picture systems (e, g., animated er 2 is especially designed so that in addition to cartoons), and in fact any field wherein the mashaving a desired electrical conductivity, it also ter copy is required to reproduce a large number acts as a retainer for a dye or dyes which control of duplicates by a non-photographic process; so the subsequent duplicating step. This recording Accordingly, it is a principal object of the inand duplicating blank can be used to receive and vention to provide a novel method of recording record electric signals such as facsimile or teleelectric signals by employing a recording blank graph signals by well-known telefacsimile prohaving a plurality of layers of material so that cedure, either by means of an electric space diswhen the blank is subjected to an electric disso charge to or through the sheath, e. g., by means of a corona discharge, or by means of a current which is causedto fiow conductively through the p p r transverse to its cross section. The surface of the record blank is, in accordance with wellknown facsimile scanning methods, acted upon in successive areas of elemental size and in synchronism with a corresponding scanning process at the facsimile transmitter. Where the recording is effected by an electrictric space discharge, e. g., corona as described in Patent 1,702,595 to A. G. Cooley, it is not necessary that the base I be of conducting paper. In the current conduct- I ing type of record, it may be necessary that the base i be of conducting p per. It will be understood therefore, that the base paper I may be either non-conducting or substantially so, or it may be specially treated to render it of the desired conductivity in accordance with the particular type of electric current that is used for recording.

If paper I is of the non-conducting type, it may be a well-known white or colored paper upon which is applied a black conducting layer 2 comprising "gas black together with a dye or dye mixture and a suitable binder or adhesive. We have discovered that gas black" is particularly well suited to the formation of this conductive dye-carrier layer or coating. For convenience of description, the dye-carrier layer 2 will be referred to herein as the duplicating layer or coat- 'ing. The outermost layer 3 which will be referred to herein as the facsimile coating, consists of a pigment, usually white, to contrast with the black layer 2, the pigment being incorporated with a suitable adhesive or binder.

The amount and kind of dye which, in accordance with the invention, is incorporated in layer 2, will depend upon the character and number of copies that are to be made from the master facsimile record blank. Almost any dye is suitable for incorporating in the black layer 2, the type of solvent used for the copying process and the desired color of the copies determining the type of dye to be selected. Dyes like crystal violet, methyl violet, basic fuchsin, methyl green, water soluble nigrosine, chrysoidin brown, etc., can be used in coatings of the type proposed in Examples I and III. Since nigrosine does not produce good copies or as large a number as would be obtained from an equal amount of crystal violet used in the formula for instance, mixture of dyes giving a good black color, 1. e., a mixture of crystal violet, methyl violet, basic fuchsin and chrysoidine can be used as in Example III.

Oil or alcohol soluble dyes can be used in coatings of the type proposed in Example II.

The amount of dye to be used in coating 2 will vary with the type of dye and results desired. Anywhere from 10 to 150% based on the weight of gas black used will be satisfactory.

In using our invention as a facsimile paper a preferable conducting layer 2 comprises gas black mixed with any suitable adhesive such as gelatin, gum, starch, casein, emulsified wax, cellulose ether or ester, etc., and a suitable dye. The amount and kind of the binder used has a pronounced effect on the recording properties of the paper. In the case of binders of any of the types mentioned above it is desirable to use as little binder as possible and in general the amount of binder may vary from five to thirty percent of the dry weight of the gas black. It may be said in general that it is preferable to use such binders as gelatin, gum, starch, casein, emulsified wax or the like materials for the black conducting coating 2 and to use binders of the cellulose ester or ether type for the white or facsimile coating 3,

because if the same type of binder is used for both 75 water coatings there will be a tendency for the two coatin s to mingle when the facsimile coating I is applied, which is extremely undesirable. Also it is necessary to select the proper combination of binders and solvents for both coatings so that the dye of coating 2 will be very soluble in its solvent and will be well distributed when dry but will notmingle with the facsimile coating 3 when it is applied. If the binder of the black coating is of the cellulose ester or ether type, methyl cellulose is an exception, then the facsimile coating binder should be of the gelatin, gum, starch, casein, etc., type. However, these gelatin, gum, starch, casein binders are generally soluble in water and the paper would, if they were used as binders for the facsimile coating, be subject to water spotting and smearing due to handling.

As examples of the proportions of gas black, dye and binder which may be utilized in forming conducing coatings for facsimile papers of the type of our invention, the following are given:

Example I United Carbon Company, Inc.) grams 5.0

Methocel (15 c. p. s.; manufactured by the Dow Chemical Company) do 2.0 Crystal violet do 4.0 Water cc 55.0

The methocel is dissolved in a portion of the water and the gas black added while stirring. The dye is added to the remaining water and heated slightly to dissolve it completely. A small amount of glycerol, carbitol or the like material may be added to increase the solubility of the dye. The mixture is then passed through a colloid mill or similar device and applied to the paper by any of the normal coating methods, such as spraying, dipping. brushing, or knife coating, etc. After coating the paper the liquid contained in the binder is evaporated off by heating or any other suitable method. The paper may thereafter be subjected to calendering in order that the surface may be smooth.

Example II Gas black (kosmos 15D; manufactured by the United Carbon Company, Inc.) grams 7.0 Cellulose nitrate lacquer (No. 1,151,287, manufactured by Valentine 8: Co.) grams 7.0 011 soluble nigrosine do- 6.0 Lacquer solvent (No. 1,001,012, manufactured by Valentine 8: Co.) cc- 50.0

In this instance the dye is dissolved in the lacquer solvent and the gas black and lacquer mixed therewith. The resulting product is passed through a colloid mill or similar device before application to the paper. The mixture may be applied to the paper by any of the methods mentioned in connection with Example I, and the steps of heating or otherwise evaporating off the liquid and of calendering will likewise be utilized as in Example I.

Example III Gas black (Dixie #5 manufactured by the United Carbon Company, Inc.) grams 5.0

Polyvinyl alcohol (R. H. 488 manufactured by the E. I. Du Pont de Nemours 8; Co.) grams 1.2 Crystal violet do 1.1 Methyl green do 1.0 Basic fuchsin do 0.4 Chrysoidine do 1.5 cr- 55.0

assume In this instance a combination of dyes was selected to produce a black color. The polyvinyl alcohol is dissolved in a portion of the water and the gas black added. The dyes are dissolved in the remaining water by heating slightly and added to the black dispersion. Thereafter the .mixture is passed through a colloid mill or similar device before application to the paper. The application may be by any of the methods suggested hereinabove, and of course, includes the steps of evaporating the liquid from the binder and of calendering if necessary.

For facsimile paper purposes the paper after coating with the first or conducting coating 2 is further processed with the second or facsimile coating 3. This latter coating consists of a white or light colored pigment and a binder. The binder utilized may be any one of those mentioned in connection with the conducting coating, but as has been stated it is preferable to utilize a binder soluble in organic solvents for the facsimile coating, and one soluble in water for the conducting coating. Amongst the pigments which are satisfactory for use in the facsimile coating may be mentioned zinc sulphide, zinc oxide, barium sulphate, barytes, blanc flxe, lithopone, titanium dioxide, and the like. The sensi tivity of some of these pigments may be improved by incorporating in them a small percentage, ap-

' proximately 0.2 to 1.0%, of either mercuric sulphide, red or yellow lead oxide, stannic sulphide, etc. Of course it must also be kept in mind to so select the solvent for the facsimile coating so that the ingredients from either coating will not mingle.

The amount of the facsimile coating necessary to produce a satisfactory recording paper is very small. The exact amount cannot be stated since variation in weight of the paper and variation in thickness of the black conducting coating will cause variationss which make it difficult to measure. It may be said, however, that as little coating as possible should be applied; just sufficient to cover the black conducting coating uniformly and to give the finished surface a light gray appearance. It is desirable to apply the facsimile coating in such a manner as to retain the pigment on the surface of the black coating. In order that this may be accomplished it' is desirable that the coating be dried quite rapidly.

Examples of satisfactory facsimile coatings together with solvents are set forth below.

The methocel is dissolved in cold water and the zinc sulphide added with stirring. The mixture is passed through a coilloid mill or similar device and applied to the paper by any of the methods mentioned hereinabove. This type of coating is for use with black conductingcoatings similar to those shown in Example 11.

The mixture of the following Example V comprises a binder of cellulose derivative in an organic solvent having little afllnity for water soluble dyes and is preferred as a coating for application over the black or conducting coating containing a water soluble binder such as those described in Examples I and III.

The lacquer base is dissolved in the solvent and the zinc oxide and mercuric oxide thereafter added. The mixture is then passed through a colloid mill or other similar device before application to the paper, which application may be by any of the methods herein mentioned.

Example VI This example is similar to the above except that cellulose nitrate is used as the cellulose derivative.

Grams 60.0 0.3

Zinc oxide 7 Mercuric oxide Lacquer base consisting of 15% ester sum manufactured by the American Cyanamid & Chemical Corporation, 70%

- nitro cellulose 2 second and 15% of No. 6 plasticizer manufactured by the Dow Chemical Company Solvent consisting of 70% toluol 25% ethyl acetate and 5% denatured alcohol 140.0

The lacquer base is dissolved in the solvent and the zinc oxide and mercuric oxide thereafter added. The mixture is prepared and applied by any of the methods herein mentioned.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown in generalized schematic form, a telefacsimile recording and duplicating system wherein the numeral I represents any well-known form of telefacsimile transmitter whereby the subject matter to be transmitted is scanned in successive areas of elemental size to produce corresponding electric signals. These signals are transmitted over a suitable transmission channel 6 to the facsimile receiver I, the output of which energizes the recording needle 8 with a corona producing voltage whose effective recording value is determined by the received telefacsimile signals. The needle 0 is slightly spaced from the recording blank 0 which is carried by the rotating drum ID. The drum II is rotated and advanced longitudinally in any manner well-known in the facsimile scanning arts and in ynchronism with the corresponding scanning equipment at the transmitter I. The recording blank 0 is formed of a base of Paper having two superposed layers corresponding respectively to layers 2 and 3 of Fig. 1. As a result of the corona discharge from needle electrode 0. the outer or facsimile layer 3 is removed at the points corresponding to the ori inal subject matter scanned at the transmitter 5 thus exposing the dye-carrying transfer layer 2. The subject matter is therefore directly produced on the blank 9 and this blank may be removed and its surface moistened by a suitable solvent for the dye in coating 2 but which solvent does not affect the coating 3. This moistened record blank can then be used as a matrix to transfer the recorded subject matter any desired number of times to any suitable receiving surface such as to a succession of paper sheets Ii. The transfer of the moistened dye-record from blank I to the copy sheets H can be done either directly as described, or indirectly by "Ditto or "Hectograph" process. Thusthedyerecordonblank I canbetransferred by contact with a hectograph blank I! comprising an aqueous solvent held by a moistened gelatin-glycerolcompound which receives the impression in reverse from the master record and transfers it to the paper or sheet material in readable form by bringing the two in contact with each other. water is used as the solvent for the 0 97- ing machine process and alcohol solutions for the spirit process.

The c p in facsimile paper of this invention can be used to produce copies either from aqueous or alcoholic solvent processes and by proper selection of the dye in coating 2 and binder base in coating 3 can be made to operate using other solvents if occasion arises. Thus for example the black conducting coating of Example 11 covered with facsimile coating IV could be used to make copies using oil, toluol, acetone or the like as solvent and replacing the gelatin-glycerol compound with one adoptable to use with such solvents. The wide latitude oflered by the copying facsimile paper of this invention is therefore quite obvious.

The number of copies that can be obtained from a single facsimile recording used as a master record is also very large, larger than for any known master records using the described meth- 0d of copying, and a distinct feature of this particular combination of paper and coatings. This results from the fact that the master record holds or can be made to hold large quantities of dye and the master record can be used over and over again to produce fresh impressions on the gelatin-glycerol compound. Over 1,000 clear legible copies have been made from a facsimile recording.

It is possible by suitably plasticizing coating 3 in Example V or VI to produce a paper that could be used to make typewriter or telegraph printer records. In this case the characters of the typewriter or telegraph printer will perforate the coating 3 and expose the color bearing coating 2 leaving an impression of the character. The copying from such a record can then be made in the usual way. Of course a paper of this nature as illustrated by Fig, 2 need not contain the gas black of coating 2 but only the dye and binder.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown a modified form of record blank wherein the paper or base I! is provided with a layer of chemical ll such as iodine and this layer is covered with a facsimile coating ll corresponding to coating 3 of Fig. 1. As the coating ii is acted upon by the electric discharge or electric current correspondasosmo record it so as to change the color of the surface of the p per II in accordance with the facsimile ing to the facsimile electric signals, the chemical coating ii is exposed. The copy p per II which is used with this facsimile blank has its surface of such chemical composition that when it contacts with the exposed iodine or chemical I. at the recorded points of the blank, it changes the color of the surface of the copy paper It. Thus the paper Il may have incorporated in its body or surface a predetermined quantity of starch which reacts with the moistened exposed iodine record. While two typical methods of transferring the facsimile record have been disclosed, namely by a dye transfer, and by chemical interaction, it will be understood that other equivalent methods of transferring the record from the facsimile blank to the multiple copy sheets can be employed. .Various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 435,944, filed March 24, 1942, wherein the claims to the recording blank per se and proces; of preparation are presented.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of recording employing a recording blank of the type having an undercoating containing a transferable marking medium and an overcoating therefor, which comprises generating electric signals representing the shades of successive elemental areas of the subject matter to be recorded, applying said signals to selected elemental areas of the overcoating to correspondingly expose the undercoating, and contacting the recording blank with a receiving surface to transfer to the latter a record only of the marking medium in said exposed areas.

2. The method according to claim 1 in which the said transfer to the receiving surface is effected by a hectograph process.

3. The method according to claim 1 in which the said transfer is effected by a chemical interaction between said marking medium and the recording surface.

4.. The method of tele-recording employing a recording blank of the type having an undercoating containing a transferable dye and an overcoating, which comprises applying electric signal potentials to selected elemental areas of the overcoating to correspondingly expose the undercoating, and contacting the recording blank with a receiving surface to transfer to the latter a record only of said exposed areas.

5. A recording system of the character described, comprising a source of electric signal impulses, a recording blank in the form of a pliable sheet having a double stratum coating with the understratum including a transferable dye, the overcoating being of a material which is removable in selected elemental areas in response to signals from said source applied thereto, and a receiving surface for contacting with said blank to transfer to the receiving surface a record only of those areas which have been acted upon by said potentials.

6. A recording system according to claim 5 in which said understratum also includes a material for imparting a desired electrical conductivity thereto.

7. A recording system according to claim 5 in which the pliable material has a base of non-conducting paper and means are provided for convetting electric signals into a corona discharge acting on said elemental areas.

HAROLD R. vDALTON. AUSTIN G. COOLEY. 

